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The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part VI

Philokalia Ministries

We picked up this evening with Step One “On Renunciation of the World”. St. John‘s focus is on entering into the spiritual life, the ascetical life, fully. We are not to make excuses out of our past sins or let them become impediments to our engaging in the spiritual battle. Psychologically they can become exactly that. Shame can make us hold back from opening ourselves to God and the healing that He alone offers. Likewise, fear of what lies ahead and the discipline involved can keep us from investing ourselves fully. Rather, we are to respond as if we were called by an earthly king; eagerly leaving everything to go to him and remaining alert lest he should call us day or night. We would never give ourselves over to sloth or cowardice knowing that we would find ourselves under the king’s judgment. Thus, we are to enter into the spiritual life unfettered by worldly concerns. Whether one is a monk or living in the world, one must have God as the beginning and end of all things - the very center of our existence. He must be desired and loved above all things. If this is true then we will charge into the “good fight” with joy and love without being afraid of our enemies, the demons. They know the movements of the mind and the heart, the patterns of behavior that they observe within us and whether or not we are scared. Therefore, John tells us, we must enter into the battle courageously for no one fights with a plucky fighter. Naturally St. John begins by focusing on the early moments of the ascetical life. God by design protects the novice in the spiritual life in order to keep him from falling into despondency. He hides the difficulty of the contest. However, if God sees a courageous soul He will allow him to experience conflict and to be in embattled in order that he might be crowned all the sooner. Thus, God will allow us to be tested if it will perfect our love and virtue and if He sees our zeal for Him. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:34 Robyn Greco: i could listen to you preach anytime Father, because you're such an excellent teacher 00:18:20 Ren: The number of men who started chuckling just then was pretty fantastic. Caught on camera! :-D 00:18:40 Debra: 😄 00:18:40 Cathy: i was thinking the same 00:24:28 Sam Rodriguez: Have heard it said before “if we don’t make time for prayer, we’ll never find time for prayer.” 00:24:48 Debra: Is removing prayer time, and saying that we are too busy, a sign of spiritual warfare....or 'just' allowing our will to 'win? 00:25:16 Debra: Sorry...I don't know how to do the digital hand lol 00:25:57 Carol Nypaver: Go to “reactions” 00:26:20 Debra: Oh! Thanks, Carol! 00:26:32 Carol Nypaver: 😇 00:26:56 Ambrose Little: Alt+Y on Win; Opt+Y on Mac 00:27:16 Debra: Thank you! 00:27:23 Carol Nypaver: 👍🏻 00:29:24 Ambrose Little: Did you really go to college if you never pulled an all nighter?? 🤔 00:29:35 Debra: Yes! Fr. D, I've experienced that...a peace when I've pushed through my will, to pray 00:30:19 Vicki Nichols: I never pulled an all nighter either 00:31:05 Carol Nypaver: Same, Vicki. I can’t function without sleep. 00:38:38 Sheila Applegate: This. Above. Not because I am an asetic but I can't function as a human without 7 hours plus. Carol. :) 00:39:37 Carol Nypaver: In living the Gospel, how do you NOT offend people? 00:44:25 RiccardoO: “You will not be far from the Kingdom of Heaven” has an interesting ring to it. Not far, but not yet in the Kingdom. Am I correct to interpret the list in this paragraph as the starting point? Is there another step that Climacus is not mentioning here, along the lines of the invitation of Jesus to the young rich man, “if you want to be perfect..”? 00:49:16 RiccardoO: Thank you father. 00:50:30 Rachel: LOL Nope, that would be me. 00:53:56 Robyn Greco: Ive lived on anxiety almost all my life but recently when I slow down and give it all to the Lord the fear leaves, literally, its holding onto that